Writing

Fame

After a few years in America, Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath returned to England. In this letter, written in December 1960 to his mother-in-law Aurelia, he talked about fame and fatherhood. His first child, Frieda, had recently been born.

Sylvia Plath's death

Hughes' marriage to Sylvia Plath broke down in 1962, hastened by the affair he began that year with Assia Wevill. By the autumn, they had separated. In February 1963, Sylvia killed herself. Shortly afterwards, he wrote to his sister Olwyn, and a month later, to Sylvia's mother, Aurelia.

Assia Wevill's death

His relationship with Assia lasted several more years, but was not without problems. In March 1969, she too killed herself, in the same manner as Sylvia had done, by gassing herself. She also killed their daughter, Shura. This letter was written to Assia's sister, Celia Chaikin, a few weeks later.